How can I tell if a barrel will fit my old frame?

[nsl]

I have an early Contender frame that I want to put a 22lr barrel on. Would like the octogon barrel, but came across one that is round at a good price. I walked away because I seen that it had the two piece locking lugs. Seems as if I heard they won't fit an older frame. Any advice?

[Keith L]

I use two piece bolt barrels on my early Contenders all the time.  You may have to polish the bolts (see post in FAQ about early barrel on G2 frame) but you may have to do that with any barrel.  The only one that won't fit is the muzzle loading barrel built for the G2.  all the rest will.

[Curtis]

I have had trouble with one piece locking bolts in an easy open frame (that is said to be a given BTW) but never the other way around.  All three of my vintage frames (circa 1979 or thereabouts) have accepted every barrel I have tried on them, and functioned perfectly whether split or one piece.  And that's close to 20 barrels now,  mostly TC but I have a couple of MGMs.
 
Curtis

[David D.]

I have an early Contender frame that I want to put a 22lr barrel on. Would like the octogon barrel, but came across one that is round at a good price. I walked away because I seen that it had the two piece locking lugs. Seems as if I heard they won't fit an older frame. Any advice?

Only sure way is to try them! Then if it doesn't work in about all case's it can be made to work. It may require changing the locking bolts or simply polishing the locking bolts!